Saturday, January 9, 2010

Waffles: a Sunday Brunch family favorite. Served with vanilla ice cream and strawberries is how we like them, but whipped cream, Canadian Maple Syrup and even Nutella are favorite toppings too. They are best eaten right off the waffle iron, work well on those lazy weekend mornings when there is lots of coffee flowing, a good newspaper to read, or better yet, lively conversation while you await your turn for the next hot one to be served.

The waffle has a distinguished history. The Iron Age produced the iron plate or griddle on which pan-cakes were made, and it was just a matter of time until an enterprising chef could see that using two heated iron plates, one on each side of the pan-cake, would speed up the cooking process. These original pan-cakes were savory, usually flavored with cheese and various herbs.

Then, in the 1200s, a craftsman concocted the idea of forging cooking plates with designs on them that would be transferred onto the pancake. Early irons featured coats of arms, religious symbols, and even landscapes. But nothing caught on like the honeycomb design that became the forerunner of what we know today as the waffle. The way these honeycomb waffles could hold syrup and honey made them popular with vendors who sold them right on the street.

"A waffle is like a pancake with a syrup trap."

— Mitch Hedberg

Waffles were introduced to the US in 1620 by Pilgrims who brought the cooking technique over from Holland. On August 24, 1869 Cornelius Swarthout got the first patent for a waffle iron in the U.S. and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. Waffles have morphed into ice cream cones, waffle cones, and numerous other delicacies.

you know the only time I order waffles when we eat out is at a fancy hotel or upscale restaurant. why? becuase they are the only ones that have the fresh strawberries--it's the only way I will eat waffles with fresh whipped cream and fresh berries. I can't eat that junk at Ihop at all. so you know I adore what you made.

I love waffles. You can make a bunch and freeze them and then toaster pop them. Brown eyed baker has a recipe for bacon buttermilk waffles that is also amazing. Happy New Year and here's to a good breakfast with lots of talking, and waiting for that delicious waffle.